Bobbin-clutching means for rotatable spindles.



No. 844.368. PATENTED FEB. 19, 1907.

a. w. KNIGHT. BOBBIN UL'UTGHING MEANS FOR ROTATABLE SPINDLES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4. 1906. I

time snares PAEN'I orrron GEORGE WV. KNIGHT, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SAWY-ER SPINDLE COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPO- RATION OF MAINE.

BOBBlN-CLUTCHING MEANS FOR ROTATABLE SPINDLES.

Specification'of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1907.

Application filed September 4, 1906. Serial No. 333.090.

T0 at who/7t it 'ntay concern;

'Be it known that I, GEORGE W. KNIGHT, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Hopedale, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Bobbin-Olutching Means forRotatable Spindles, of which the following description, in connection with the accomp anying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to means for connecting the bobbin with a rotatable spindle in spinning, twisting, and similar apparatus avlhereby the bobbin is rotated with the spin- My invention has for its object .the production of novel, simple, and eflicient means to effect a driving engagement between the bobbin and the clutching members on the spindle (such members being of the centrifugally acting type) when the spindle speed is insufficient to properly effect driving engagement.

In some classes of spinning apparatus the normal spindle speed is relativelylowsay from four to five thousand revolutions per minuteand after stoppage of the frame this speed is only gradually attained when the frame is started.

When applying centrifugally-acting clutching members to such spindles, it has been found that during the interval referred to the spindle speed is insufficient to effect proper driving engagement with the bobbin, so that the latter tends to slip relatively to the spindle, making faulty yarn. By my invention this objection is overcome in a very simple and eflicient manner.

Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal section of a rotatable spindle and bobbin with one embodiment of my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan detail of the expanding spring.

The rotatable spindle A, having an attached sleeve 1, provided with a whirl W, the centrifugally-acting clutching members 2, loosely grouped around an enlargement a on the spindle, the lower ends of said members resting loosely in an annular recess 3 in the head 4 of the sleeve, and the collar 5, fast on the spindle and adapted to loosely engage upturned portions 6 on the inner sides of the members 2, are all of well-known construction and operate in a manner familiar to those familiar with centrifugally-acting bobbin-connectors.

When the spindle speed is too low, the centrifugal action is insuflicient to force the clutching members into driving engagement with the bobbin, said members entering and contacting with the enlargement b of the bore of the bobbin B, Fig. 1.

Uneven rotation of the bobbin results with consequent unevenness in the twist of the yarn being spun. To obviate this objection and effect a driving engagement between the bobbin and the clutching members, even if the spindle is running at very low speed or at rest altogether, I provide a laterally-expansible spring 8, (shown separately in Fig. 4,) which surrounds the spindle and bears against the inner surfaces of the clutching members. This spring is conveniently made of piano-wire bent into annular shape, with its ends normally separated, the external expanded diameter and the strength of the spring being sufficient to press the clutching members outward far enough and with sufficient force to effect driving engagement with the bobbin when applied to the spindle. Upon such applica tion of the bobbin the clutching members are forced inward, compressing the spring and forcing its ends toward each other, the tension of the spring then maintaining driving engagement with the bobbin until the spindle speed is high enough to cause proper centrifugal clutching action of the members 2.

To maintain the spring in proper position, an annular seat or groove a is formed in the enlargement a, the spring loosely resting in the seat and being held in position vertically while permitting its expansion or compression.

The particular construction of the centrifugally-acting clutching members and the mode of connecting and positioning them with and on the spindle is of no moment so far as my invention is concerned.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A rotatable spindle having, in combination, centrifugally-acting bobbin-clutching members rotatable therewith and adapted to interiorly engage a bobbin, and a laterallyexpansible spring to internally engage and maintain the clutching members in driving position. A

2; A rotatable spindle having, in combination, centrifugally-acting bobbin-clutching members rotatable therewith and adapted to interiorly engage a bobbin, and annular spring surrounding the spindle and having separated ends, engaging the inner sides of and pressing the clutching members outward, the spring being compressed by application of the bobbin, to maintain driving engagement between the bobbin and clutching members in addition to centrifugal action thereof.

3. A rotatable spindle having, in combination, centrifugally-acting bobbin-clutching members rotatable therewith and adapted to interiorly engage a bobbin, an annular spring-seat on the spindle within the clutching members, and a circular split spring vertically sustained in the seat and bearing against the inner faces of the clutching members, to expand them independently of the centrifugal action.

4. A rotatable spindle having, in combination, centrifugally-acting bobbin-clutching members rotatable therewith and adapted to interiorly engage a bobbin, means to support said members at their-lower ends and permit outward movement thereof, and a split spring internally engaging the clutching members and loosely surrounding the spindle, application of a bobbin'compressing the spring, to maintain driving engagement between the clutching members and the bobbin when the spindle speed is insufficient to cause centrifugal action of the clutching members. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. V

GEORGE W. KNIGHT.

Witnesses:

FRANK J. DUTOHER, HENRY LAWRENCE. 

